U.S. Supreme Court Temporarily Blocks Decision on Private Voting Rights Act Lawsuits

U.S. Supreme Court Temporarily Blocks Decision on Private Voting Rights Act Lawsuits

The U.S. Supreme Court has delivered a significant, albeit temporary, reprieve for voting rights advocates and individual litigants, putting on hold a controversial ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit holding that private plaintiffs cannot bring claims under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act (VRA), a ruling that could severely limit the ability of individual voters and advocacy groups to sue under the Act. This specific case originated from a challenge to North Dakota's 2021 state legislative map, which the plaintiffs, two Native American tribes and individual voters, argued diluted Native American voting power by…
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Eighth Circuit Leaves North Dakota Tribes and Section 2 enforcement, waiting on the Supreme Court

Eighth Circuit Leaves North Dakota Tribes and Section 2 enforcement, waiting on the Supreme Court

This week, a divided Eighth Circuit has refused to rehear Spirit Lake Tribe v. Howe, leaving intact its May 2025 ruling that bars private plaintiffs from suing under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act (VRA). The order preserves a decision that eliminated a key enforcement pathway for the seven states within the circuit and sets the stage for potential U.S. Supreme Court involvement. The case began when the Spirit Lake Tribe and the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians challenged North Dakota’s 2021 legislative map, arguing that splitting their reservations diluted Native voting power. A U.S. District Court Judge…
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U.S. Supreme Court Leaves North Dakota House Districts in Place Against Racial Gerrymandering Challenge

U.S. Supreme Court Leaves North Dakota House Districts in Place Against Racial Gerrymandering Challenge

On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the legislature's creation of subdistricts within North Dakota House districts 4 and 9 in 2021. The lawsuit had claimed that the subdistricts - drawn to avoid vote dilution in the Native American populations within the Turtle Mountain and Fort Berthold Reservations - were unconstitutional racial gerrymanders. A federal three-judge panel in North Dakota dismissed the lawsuit in 2023 and the U.S. Supreme Court dismissed the plaintiffs' appeal, leaving the federal district court decision in place. Interestingly, the North Dakota Secretary of State reversed course during the litigation and notified the U.S. Supreme Court that…
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Redistricting Update: Week of January 14, 2024. News from MI, NY, ND, and WI.

Redistricting Update: Week of January 14, 2024. News from MI, NY, ND, and WI.

Redistricting developments in the states for the week of January 14, 2024. Click on the state button for more news and media. NationalBrennan Center analysis suggests 2030 redistricting could bring big increases for the South (Ohio Capital Journal) Michigan Michigan redistricting panel asks court for permission to use unconstitutional maps Michigan redistricting commission holds special meeting, decides against raising its salaries Special masters appointed to help redraw Detroit-area districts; these are the important dates Court lays out redistricting timeline for maps ruled unconstitutional New York New York Hispanic Voters File First Lawsuit Under State Voting Rights Act North Dakota Judge…
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